UN official condemns Israeli raids on hospital, says Hamas must not use it as a shield

The UN’s top emergency relief official on Wednesday condemned reported Israeli military raids on Gaza’s embattled Shifa Hospital and insisted Hamas militants must not use it as a “shield” for their activities.

Martin Griffiths underscored growing international concern for the plight of patients in the Gaza City hospital who are too sick or frail to be moved.

“Look, Hamas must not, should not, use a place like a hospital as a shield for their presence,” he said in a video statement. He added, “hospitals should not become a place of -- a war zone -- of danger.” Griffiths said earlier on X, previously called Twitter, that he was “appalled” by overnight reports of Israeli raids on Shifa.

The UN World Health Organization says Shifa patients have needs that are “well beyond basic care.” Images reportedly from the facility showed medics trying to keep newborns warm in blankets because power for incubators had failed.

“The babies have no incubators,” Griffiths said. “Some are dead already. We can't move them out. It's too dangerous.” “I understand the Israelis' concern for trying to find the leadership of Hamas, that's not our problem,” he added. “Our problem is protecting the people of Gaza from what's being visited upon them.” (AP)